Update: Oscar Ratings Down 16%, Lowest in Six Years

In updated “fast national” results from Nielsen for Sunday night, ABC’s telecast of the Academy Awards averaged 36.6 million viewers and a 10.8 rating in adults 18-49 — declines of 16% and 18% respectively from last year (43.7 million and 13.1). The total-viewer count is the event’s lowest in six years.

Despite the declines, the Oscars were the top-rated entertainment telecast in the 51 weeks since last year’s show. By comparison, the Oscars outdrew the Grammy Awards on CBS by 30% in 18-49 (10.8 vs. 8.3) and by 11.8 million total viewers (36.6 million vs. 24.8 million), and they topped the Golden Globe Awards on NBC by 86% in the demo and by 17.3 million total viewers (36.6 million vs. 19.3 million).

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This year’s Oscars ceremony has joined other award shows from this television season in posting year-over-year ratings declines, down 10% in the overnights from last year’s decade-best score.

According to Nielsen overnight estimates measuring 56 of the nation’s biggest markets, last night’s “87th Annual Academy Awards” telecast on ABC, hosted by first-timer Neil Patrick Harris, averaged a 25.0 household rating/38 share, the show’s lowest rating since a 24.5 in 2011. Nielsen will issue total-viewer estimates for last night’s show later today.

Los Angeles ranked as the top-rated market for the Oscars (33.5 household rating), up 3% from last year. But key to the ratings declines overall were double-digit falloffs in both New York (down 13% to 32.4) and Chicago (down 10% to 32.5).

Last year’s show, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, averaged a 27.9 overnight household rating/41 share that translated into a 10-year best 43.74 million viewers, according to Nielsen — the third time in five years the Oscars had been above the 40-million viewer mark. And in adults 18-49, its 13.1 rating/33 share in the nationals was up a smidge from 2013 for a four-year high.

With social media driving interest, awards shows in general had been on a ratings roll. But some of the air seems to have come out of the balloon this season.

Earlier this month, the Grammy Awards on CBS (8.3 rating/23 share in adults 18-49, 24.82 million viewers overall) were down 16% in the demo and 13% in total viewers from last year for the show’s lowest numbers in six years. Still, the kudocast figures to finish the season ranked second to the Oscars among the top-rated non-football programs.

Last night’s Oscars did a 14.2 rating in adults 18-49, according to Nielsen’s LPM (Local People Meter) markets, down just slightly from last year (14.4) and solidly above the 9.9 earned by the Grammys on Feb. 8.

Adults 18-49 ratings were also lower this season for the “CMA Awards” on ABC (down 4%, 4.5 vs. 4.7), the “American Music Awards” on ABC (down 16%, 3.8 vs. 4.5) and the “Golden Globe Awards” on NBC (down 11%, 5.8 vs. 6.5).

In social media, 21 million people had 58 million interactions (posts, comments, likes) related to the Oscars on Facebook on Sunday. The top moment was Lady Gaga’s medley from “The Sound of Music” and Julie Andrews joining her on stage, which drew 214,000 per minute globally and 145,000 per minute in the States; this was also the top moment on Twitter for the night.

ABC towered over its rivals last night, with its 7 to 11 p.m. household average in the metered-market overnights more than tripling its combined CBS-NBC-Fox competition (20.4 vs. 6.6). And in adults 18-49, it drew six times those net’s combined averages (11.4 vs. 1.9).

A dearth of diversity among nominees and unfamiliarity with some of the most honored films may have contributed to the lower tune-in for the 2015 Oscars. Of this year’s best picture nominees — “American Sniper,” “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Game,” “Selma,” “The Theory of Everything,” and “Whiplash” — only “Sniper” can be considered a box office hit in North America.

“Birdman” was the big winner of the night, winning the top prize as well as others including best original screenplay and best director for Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Visually, it was very boring. The pace was extremely slow and I think I turned Oscar’s off when The Weekend was about to sing. His voice is grating, not great. Why have color tv if its black, white and gold? Chris Rock was okay but his opening was too long. I miss Billy Crystal song and dance stuff.

WHY NOT PUT ALL AWARD SHOWS ON CABLE CHANNELS? THE SHOWS ARE GETTING LESS AND LESS PEOPLE VIEWING! ALL THE MILLION OF DOLLARS SPENT ON THIS CRAP SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HELP WOUNDED WARRIORS, SENIORS AND HOMELESS-NOT WELFARE

Who are these proverbial 19 year olds who come up with this ridiculous age group by which to measure audience watching? Boy, have they missed the boat! 18 – 49 year olds? REALLY — ARE YOU GUYS THAT &%$#ing DUMB???!!! Sure, we know the media is – they have been (that dumb) for a long time – which is why they don’t question the age the viewership is measured by. Your audience is aging out. Baby boomers watch more TV than any other age. We were 49 years old awhile ago, but we still watch the awards (maybe not until the end when they get so boring they simply put us to sleep). We have more money to spend than any other age group, yet are pretty much completely ignored by advertising agencies – and TV producers. The age group that is being used to measure viewership is riduculous – and needs to be changed to get real numbers just as much as being a much better job with the diveristy of the nominees. WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS WHOLE &%$@ing PICTURE?!!!

I think it was a drop in The Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes because they weren’t very inclusive with nominees. It was a movement to not watch the Oscars this year on social media because of the lack of diversity in nominations. I noticed when it was announced last year Beyoncé would open the Grammys the ratings were good. This year, it was hardly any black acts, and they saved Beyoncé for last. Many of the acts that proceeded her just wouldn’t hold the interest of a racially diverse audience. I was following the Grammys on Twitter, and many people switched back and forth until Beyoncé came on. It didn’t help the Grammys credibility that Beyoncé as the favorite didn’t win Album of the Year as most people thought she would. I wouldn’t be surprise to see more of a drop in the future if it’s lack of diversity in nominees and winners at these award shows.

Lot of dorks commenting. I’ll be one of them. I think Social Media has a LOT to do with why the Oscars aren’t as successful as they once were. The Oscars used to be the time when you got to see your favorite celebrities. However, today, we can follow our favorite celebrities on a daily basis with social media. (especially the celebrities that use twitter, instagram, etc….) The second the Oscars are over, you can find out on the internet EXACTLY who won in each category without spending 7 hours watching the show. If something “memorable” happens during the oscars, you can guarantee that particular scene will be on Youtube within an hour of it actually happening. Again, you can click and find this scene without watching the entire show. Social Media is killing the Oscars. Producers need to reformat the show to get people to actually watch. It needs to be way more entertaining. Why watch the snoozefest when you can get what you want in SECONDS after the show is over?

Neil patrick was not the problem…number one were are starting to see the age gap….the generation does not care about Oscars…nor will you see youth under 35 lined up to see Birdman?? Maybe if Hobbit, Unbroken, Marvel, and Hunger Games were added more ppl would watch….Walking Dead was the only thing on my mind during Oscars…

I personally didn’t watch on principal, the academy didn’t nominate any movies I saw. They shut out Angelinas Unbroken, which was a wonderful movie. They shut out the Hobbit and Hunger games, big mistake.

Well . . . My “theory” is that there were just not enough GOOD movies to have people invested in caring about the results. Just not a good year at the cinema – plain and simple! Summer schedule was light and winter nearly barren [Imitation Game was brilliant] . . . winter is when I plan to binge and there was not even mediocre movies [which I often will do just to go and get out]. Boy – when Hollywood has a hard time drawing me out of the winter hibernation because they can’t even put out a mediocre plot worth my attention to fight the boredom [and TV is upping their game] – that does not say much good for the leadership of the studios! LESS is more . . . Less effects and MORE Character driven stories PLEASE!!!!

Oscar is losing his credibility, and have nothing to be with NPH or the host!
Looking for the diversity of being “politically correct” are doing of Hollywood a “foreign country”. Why USA don’t support your own talent!? Face your own history!? …In Latin America our roots are strong.
The Oscar and american awards have a double standar: The honors go to “artistic” movies who nobody see, underestimating Studios films who make the starts with marketing. The ceremony and winners are predictable and mostly undeserved.
P.S: Who is going to understand the underwear “joke” if anybody have seen the movie!? The awards is always to one time actors, who play the disability, sick or damage character. It´s what hollywood have to show!? Acting is just that!?
I give up with the american view of art, years ago… As a theater actress, is superficial and lacking in background!

Neil did an nice job. Poor timing on the “balls” joke. But anyway he put a lot into it. My husband and I felt Ellen did a fabulous job last year and we would really love to see her back. If not her, how about Hugh Jackman or Billy Crystal? Thanks for all your hard work Neil!!

It felt more like watching the MSNBC awards with all that ‘forward’ slant.

I thought Ellen was a mistake last year (Who knows why those people who watched last year didn’t come back this year, but it could be because Ellen turned them off last year) , and I think continuing on with the politics this year was a mistake. Especially the transparent attempt to create a moment that riles up Hispanics.

Do you think there was another film that was clearly better, or that the director shouldn’t acknowledge the issues in his country and their neighbor to the north? This wasn’t a year of truly great films, and Birdman and Boyhood were interesting artistic works from a technical perspective (definitely not story though).

huh? Ellen was the funniest, most dynamic host they’ve had in many years. Her pizza gag hit it out of the park – NPH was lame in comparison and his loooong running joke about Octavia Spencer keeping an eye on “his” predictions was as flat as Sean Penn’s tasteless immigration joke.

It was disgusting when the host came out wearing just his underwear! Is that all the producer or the writer could come up with…..”Come On…..Pleaseeee” I guess everything is fair game these days….OUR MOREL STANDARDS ARE NO MORE!!!!….I will never watch the Oscars again!

All these people complaining about the underwear gag. Did it never occur to you that it was a direct reference to one of the nominated (and eventually winning) pictures that you clearly couldn’t be bothered to see? Don’t watch the Oscars if you don’t care about the movies!

How truly uninspiring, arrogant, and boring.. and, frankly, I didn’t find humor in the hosts underwear
routine either. After more years than I care to count, watching every year.. that was the last. If you can’t
garner enough (recognized) talent than the likes of Sean Penn and his not funny sarcasm, or produce
a fabulous, classy, entertaining production for being.. well, THE entertainment business, nor pay tribute to all those whom we remember, than it’s time to say farewell, finis, adieu, and wrap. Hollywood,
and it’s ilk should watch more classics to see how it’s done.

I thought NPH did an excellent job. I saw all the best picture nominees and thought they were all good but none were great, aka a classic. Boyhood was unique but long, Birdman was showbiz based. Historicals and bios are popular vote getters. Madea will never get nominated and sci if movies won’t win costume.

I think the same thing happened with the Grammys this year. Very few hip-hop and R&B acts were nominated for big awards. People want to feel their art and culture is appreciated and rewarded. Surprise these award shows haven’t gotten the message yet.

Many black people probably watched last year because it was a legitimate chance that actors, actresses and movies associated with the black experience had a chance of winning. But this year with Golden Globes and DGA slighting Selma and no black people were nominated for the big categories, besides Best Picture, which is producers awards. I heard many say they weren’t going to watch. It seemed like that bared out to be true.

The complications for so many with severe current weather/ the effects of climate change along South and North East, limits watching routine TV. So many are under stress and distraction, let alone calmly watching the Oscar awards.

Just too long and too late on a ‘work night’. Maybe less of the lame chatter by the presenters would help. I like the political/social justice statements. I like the musical numbers ( the Lego number was awesome! I’ve never really wanted an oscar but I would LOVE a lego oscar!) Seriously the red carpet is interesting but not so much of it.
This year the presenters and NPH all seemed unprepared. I went to bed before the end – the part I really wanted to see.

Well I thoroughly enjoyed the entire show, NPH did a bang up job, with the exception of the lock box thing that did sort of bomb. He got in a couple digs, could have had a little more interaction with the live audience. If you didn’t see “Birdman” the underwear thing didn’t make sense to you. The fashion was fabulous, not nearly as many misses as usual. ALL of the songs with the exception of the Lego Movie one were fabulous and presented very well. I like the political statements, those are the sort of things that live on after the show, and show that actors are not just self absorbed egomaniacs. I didn’t like Birdman, is was an actors movie made for other actors, and those are the one that vote, it is not the Peoples Choice awards. The moment with Lady Gaga and Dame Julia Andrews was a true moment. They need to get more of the living legends as presenters. Whoever missed Joan Rivers for the tribute should be shot…beyond a big boo boo! All in all, it was a very delightful evening..

It’s interesting to note the consistent decline in ratings for not only the Oscars, but also the Golden Globes, and Grammy’s. Award shows that consistently are seen as only rewarding one set of people for major awards, white people, particularly white men, and one set of behaviors, that of homosexuals. Perhaps that is why the rest of society is tuning out these award shows in droves. I look forward to seeing the Emmys reach an all time low in September, lol.

Sorry FAILURE, but don’t blame the focus on LGBT issues for this year’s decline. Last year’s highly rated Oscars were hosted by a lesbian and the Best Supporting Actor win went to an actor playing a drag queen in a film about AIDS. If anything, the Oscars were gayer last year. But they were also far more diverse. I and many people I know didn’t tune in this year. Not to protest, but because I just wasn’t interested in a bunch of films about white men and their problems.

The Oscars last night was a 3 hour tolerance test and it was a gruelling snoozefest. Neil was terrible as a host. The whole lock box gimmick went on too long. Robert Duvall had that look of what is going on here I thought I was at the academy awards. Just plain dull and no real big surprises accept that Birdman won best picture… WHY???

Speaking of boring… “Boyhood” should have been titled “BOREHOOD!” ALMOST THREE HOURS OF WATCHING A BORING KID AND HIS HOMELY SISTER ALONG WITH A MOTHER WHO WAS A WEAK, SNIFFLING BORE! Do not be duped into thinking this was art. It was a waste of 12 years to follow this kid to the inevitable conclusion….he can’t act. I wasted 15 bucks and a portion of my sore butt watching this stinker. There is definitely a disconnect between Hollywood and the rest of America. I saw all of the nominated films and would only reccomend the “Imitation Game.” No wonder nobody watched the Oscars last night. 2014 was a bad year for Hollywood and my aching back.

Our regular TV feed has been down and I assumed I could stream it, but they didn’t make it easy. I was one who wanted to see it and couldn’t. Only pay cable subscribers in certain cities with certain carriers could view it. Everyone else had to catch it on ABC or not at all. This doesn’t seem smart.

A lot of the younger dynamic (the one’s they say they’re trying to attract) has cut the cord and are use to getting things via internet. If they want these viewers as well as the others who fall through the cracks (such as folks in rural areas/countries), they should make it as easy as possible to watch.

I understand they don’t make as much add revenue for streaming, but why couldn’t they just make available the telecast that’s airing for free on ABC? I would have gladly watched all the commercials that aired on live TV on a stream had I been given a choice. Alternatively, I would have also paid a reasonable “rental” fee (via iTunes) if that was a choice but it wasn’t. They need to be more savvy next year and make it more easily available.

The ABC “backstage” pass was worthless. Is there anyone out there who would tune into the Superbowl to watch the audience’s reaction over idol chatter? You tune into the Superbowl to watch the game. Same goes with the Oscars.

I don’t think the movies were boring.. I think not many of them were entertaining.. To quote Sydney Pollack in Tootsie: “Nobody wants to see a play about living next to chemical waste — they can do that in New Jersey”. All the movies, although they may have excellent messages, are things we see every day on TV or in the newspaper.. Very depressing.. I feel they need some diversity in film types — some comedy I think..

Public wasn’t as invested in the nominated movies this year. Down year all around. Last years movies- Dallas Buyers Club, 12 years a slave, American Hustle, even Philomena, Nebraska and Her were much better films than this years selection. How many people actually saw Boyhood or Birdman? look at the box office $’s on these films. Academy got this wrong. Sniper was a controversial, thought provoking film, triggered discussion regarding war, gun control, our culture, was a movie that was actually seen by the masses, it was the movie that prompts other movie goers to say “have you seen Sniper yet?” Just to get your opinion. Last year had a bunch of films like that. Nobody was saying “have you seen Grand Budapest yet?” No way. Weak year. Weak turnout for the audience. Academy got it wrong. Harris didn’t help. His lock box/vote gimmick was lame, giggling at his own jokes was even lamer. I like NPH normally, but this was not his night.

Why would anyone watch the Oscars when No one cares about movies they never heard of or seen. The academy is nominating movies the general public don’t like or care about. “American Sniper” was the only familiar movie to many people. If you want better ratings, nominate better movies that people can relate too.

Not sure what the mystery is, award shows are a dime a dozen, and these days people care more what ‘regular’ people think on MetaCritic or RT or Facebook etc than the Oscars. The show is stupendously long and boring, and the award does not have much credit with the public anymore. Hopefully the day will come when they do not broadcast it, just have a vote announce the winners online.

The movies weren’t that boring ! Just because they don’t have things exploding doesn’t mean their boring expand your minds. The show itself was not good and the stars there pretty boring themselves let’s be honest. Sure they could of expanded and added one or two more blockbusters but they aren’t the best movies so why add them for ratings ? The Oscars shouldn’t downgrade like the Grammy’s to make people happy.

Neil wasn’t very good as host but there weren’t any films to get excited about either. Plus all the talk about Selma being important, when it wasn’t, was a real downer. You’d think Hollywood could pull off an interesting and entertaining award show. I think starting with Franco, then Seth, now Neil, we are sliding from classy glamour to vaudeville toilet humor. At least 16% less of us care.

I think they need a few comedies thrown into the bunch… Most of the movies this year were upsetting, depressing, down, and every other adjective you feel when you listen to the new or read the newspaper.. Is it a wonder that animated films do so well in the box office?? I read real life every day in the newspaper and watch it on TV.. When I go to the movies, which I PAY for, I’d like to feel a little uplifted when I leave, a little hopeful, maybe (gasp) smiling or laughing??????

Last night goes to prove that it definitively takes a good comedian to make the Oscar hosting work. Also, the writing was the least successful I’ve ever seen on this telecast, and I’ve been watching for over 40 yrs. – BORING!!! This show in the past has successfully showcased a level of fun inventiveness and IMHO all except perhaps the opening with Jack Black and bringing John Travolta back with the actress whose name he royally screwed up last year were not well considered, especially harping so much on that box Olivia Spencer was supposed to watch. If there were Razzies for disappointing TV award shows, last night’s telecast would get my vote. Hey Oscars, someone else needs to oversee you to bring back the fun, or you might be history…

What a shameful and disgusting spectacle that Neil Patrick Harris has brought to the Oscars! is his
behavior supposed to prove a point? because for the Oscar ceremony to be reduced to such an outrageous and shameful display of near nakedness by the former “HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER” star,
shows me how disturbing and tasteless that the Oscars have gotten today,if they allow shit like this to
happen! more proof,over how much of joke,that the Hollywood people of the present have shown to
a ceremony,where behavior like this,simply has no place,at all! totally stupid and retarded!

Clearly you’re just a homophobe. Totally joking, of course, but It’s sad there are people that honestly react like that. You can no longer criticize anyone who isn’t a straight white man, or else you’re clearly a bigot.

Hmm, no comments about Common and John Legend? Well, nice song, but Common’s comment about more black men being incarcerated now than were under slavery is absolutely false. So, let’s set the record straight:

In 1790, when the first census was taken, African Americans numbered about 760,000—about 19% of the population. In 1860, at the start of the Civil War, the African-American population increased to 4.4 million, but the percentage rate dropped to 14% of the overall population of the country. The vast majority were slaves, with only 488,000 counted as “freemen.” By 1900, the black population had doubled and reached 8.8 million. In 1910, about 90% of African Americans lived in the South, but large numbers began migrating north looking for better job opportunities and living conditions, and to escape Jim Crow and racial violence. The Great Migration, as it was called, spanned the 1890s to the 1970s. From 1916 through the 1960s, more than 6 million black people moved north. But in the 1970s and 1980s, that trend reversed, with more African Americans moving south to the Sunbelt than leaving it. By 2013, the African-American population reached about 45 million and represented 12% of the population, roughly the same proportion as in 1900.

In 2010, approximately 561,400 black men were incarcerated. But according to Common, the number is higher than the number of black men under slavery. In 2010, the TOTAL PRISON POPULATION (white, black, hispanic) was 1,446,000. However, Common wants America to believe that the number is really greater than the more than 3,000,000 black men under slavery in the early and middle part of the 19th century.

While you are fact checking, Common didn’t say the statement about incarceration and slavery. And you are also wrong about the actual comment that was spoken and the overall idea that was communicated turned out to be correct. Sometimes, you got to check yourself.

I stand by the statement as it was Fact Checked. Irrespective of who said what, the statement aired was nothing more than sour grapes for Selma not getting more nominations. I think the Oscars have become a PC love fest.

You should first figure out who said that part of the speech. Hint it wasn’t Common- so I can’t take your useless and undocumented numbers seriously since you can’t even figure out the right black guy.

Hello? I was not referring to “quality” in the voting scheme (we all know the studios spend trillions in promoting their own film) but to the allegation that somehow race came into play in denying Selma its “rightful” place at the final feast.

Oh I see. Since I incorrectly chose the wrong person who said the comment that invalidates what I say? Fine. It was John Legend then. Now, go and educate yourself about the stats. I’ll give you a hint. My information comes from Black American history websites and Louis Gates. You may want to vent your invective in that direction. Cheers.

Going by Louis Gates’ show is exactly where you are wrong. And why does the statement bother you so much? More black men ARE incarcerated in this country today than ever before. Did someone say that more white men are? Do you want more white men to be incarcerated?

Three and half hours. Started with one major category (best supporting actor)and then wait to have the other major categories (best supporting actress, actor, actress, score, director, & picture) to be awarded inside the last 30 minutes of the broadcast and in-between have pointless categories which was a waste of airtime. Last night’s broadcast started 8:30 pm ET Sunday night and ended after 12 am ET Monday Morning. People mostly wanted to see who won Best supporting actor, supporting actress, actor, actress, score, director and picture those are the categories that will be most remembered not those other categories, those are mostly forgotten.

I basically watch for entertainment value & of course to see the fashions…….:) I had a favorite film that was nominated but unfortunately didn’t take any of the awards….. However, I still & will continue to tune in even though some years are lack luster years as far entertainment goes….NPH isn’t an ‘Ellen’ or ‘Billy Crystal’ so I really didn’t have great expectations as far as entertainment goes. Also, with Joan Rivers not doing “what are you wearing” wasn’t the same either……. JMO……